Every time a mass shooting happens in the United States, people ask why. And although ownership of guns in Canada is relatively high and shootings do happen, they pale in comparison to the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 300 mass shootings in the US in 2025—with over 90 of them taking place in schools.
In Canada so far this year, there were 'only' three mass shootings and no school shootings at all. One of the reasons for this gap in numbers may be the differences when it comes to gun regulations between the two countries. In Canada, for example, to own a gun you must complete a course and undergo a criminal background check.
But that's just one of many rules that keep gun crime in Canada much lower than in the US. Click through this gallery to find out more and to understand the difference in regulations between the two countries.